Disclosure: Nissan Philippines kindly lent me a 2023 Nissan Kicks e-POWER VL for seven days. It was delivered with a full tank of fuel and loaded RFID cars. AutoFun Philippines paid for a carwash. Prudence is a virtue that seems to be going the way of the dodo. With social media constantly bombarding us on how we should live (largely from so-called “influencers,” many of whom are able to do what they do because they are “stealth endorsers” who get freebies and perks), thinking things through can

Local automakers got a big shot in the arm after the Philippine government extended the timeframe of its ₱27-billion program to boost domestic car manufacturing. The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) announced in a May 2023 press statement that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a five-year extension to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program. PSAC is composed of business leaders and experts across six main sectoral groups: Agriculture, Digital Infrastructur

Expect more expensive vehicles as car brands update their prices for 2023. It's the first month of the new year and four manufacturers – Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki – have already updated their prices as of press time. While some may only have minor changes, others have more dramatic hikes. However, we expect more brands to follow, especially those that have yet to implement changes since 2022. Honda Cars Philippines Honda Cars Philippines announced in 2022 that it would increase the pr

Mitsubishi Philippines is set to launch the refreshed 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross this Jan. 26, 2023. The announcement comes from a recent teaser that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines released to the media, showing the silhouette of the vehicle's front fascia and the tagline “Get ready to cross the current.” While its local specifications are still unknown, we can look to other markets to guess what it might bring to the local market. What we do know is that it will go up against the likes of the

Audi launched on Nov. 9, 2022 a facelifted version of its flagship electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV). Following some rather mysterious teaser photos, the Q8 e-tron (and its Sportback sibling) is finally out in the open and sports a more aggressive face. The previous model's boomerang-style headlights and heptagonal grill are still there, but Audi added some piano-black or silver accents and larger lower bumper openings to give it a bigger scowl. The side profile also remains largely similar,

We tipped our hats off to Ford Motors (FM) for giving the world Ford Ecosport along with its darling siblings (Titanium, SE, S, SES trims), considering that this remarkable (in a way) vehicle had once established a fine reputation as a phenomenal blockbuster hit; in terms of lucrative automotive sales. Therefore, it was almost a complete surprise to everyone about the car being “discontinued” production-wise, from the lineup of saleable crossover SUVs. Thus, the ensuing effect of the car’s disco